04.Brainstorming

Brainstorming - Creative Problem Solving MethodHalka Balkov, MBAMasaryk Institute of Advanced Studies, Czech Technical University in Praguewww.muvs.cvut.cze-mail: [email protected]

UNIDO Technology Foresight for Practicioners Training course, 6-10 October 2003, Prague

UNIDO - Technology Foresight for Practitioners - Training course, 6-10 October 2003, Prague MUVS CVUT Prague

Session objectivesWhat is brainstormingWhy and when use itHow to organise and lead a successful brainstorming sessionWhat mistakes are to be avoidedAdditional creative problem solving methods


What is brainstormingThe best way how to have a good idea is to have many ideas

Alex F. Osborne, 1939method of thinking up solutions, concepts, ideas in problem solvingusing the brain to storm new ideas in groupsIt is easier to tone down a wild idea than to think up a new one.


Why and When Use Itthe creative process is not always easy (problems of fear, criticism, no existing solutions yet)one person has a limited capacitypeople tend to judge new ideas immediately (a change is difficult for a human being)

Creative thinking require appropriate tools !


How does it workin a group of peoplefree associations to the topic givenrelaxed and friendly atmospheredeferred judgements release the human mind, lateral thinking


The key rulesrelaxed atmosphere - completely freeno criticism or judgementsquantity matters all ideas legitimateall ideas put on the sheet of paperevaluation only after the session


BENEFITS of brainstorming


Why and When Use ItSpecific questions:How can we promote our products?What can our company do in 5 years hence?What can we do to solve the problem XY?How can we improve co-operation of A and B? What do our customers really want? What opportunities do we have this year?How can we have more fun at work?


BRAINSTORMING CONSTRAINTSdoes not rank the ideascannot help you select the important onesdoes not suggest the best solutionsmust be amended by other methods


Organising a session?1. PREPARATION PHASE2. CONDUCT THE SESSION3. EVALUATION


1. PREPARATION PHASESpecify the problemWhat do we really want?Select the right peopleup to 10 12 different positionsDecide when and whereplace and time matters U layout of the roomInvite peoplemake sure they have time


Specify the objectives make sure that everybody is happy with the central question.Decide the roles: - leader, recorder, panel.Explain the rules (or make sure that everybody knows them. Eventually a warm-up exercise for fun). You can let people to jot down a few ideas before starting.Begin by going around, after some rounds, open the floor.Record the ideas exactly, clarify only in the end. Suspend judgements !Encourage the ideas, even the most radical and far-fetched. Allow the late coming ideas, do not hurry.At the end eliminate duplicates, clarify, thank the participants.

2. CONDUCT THE SESSION


3. EVALUATION PHASEPut the evaluation off / next dayAdd newly born ideas to the list Group similar ideas togetherSelect the best or most interesting suggestionsCreate teams which will work on them further Inform people about the results


Mistakes to be avoidedpeople are negative in advance (it will not work anyway)too many brainstormings in the companybad atmosphere in the beginning

bad experience with the methodjudgements occur during the sessionany criticism and personal attacks


Additional creative problem-solving methodsINDIVIDUAL BRAINWRITINGCOLOURFUL CARDSMIND MAPS


INDIVIDUAL BRAINWRITINGWhen?When you need to solve some problem alone, and you do not have a group to work withHow?A piece of paper (can be big and colourful to stimulate your thinking). Jot down all ideas linked with the issue.!! Do not judge yourself !!further steps as in brainstorming


COLOURFUL CARDSWhen?in a group of people, sensitive topic (eg. What do we like / dislike about our managers, company?)How?a set of papers / person (smaller pieces, A4/3 or 3M), colours as needed, for example yellow and greenpeople individually note their opinions on the cards, one idea per card, yellow positive, green negativeglue the cards on the flip chart, grouping immediately similar opinions together, negative on the left, positive on the rightlet people see and discuss the resultbrainstorming on What can we do about it? can follow


MIND MAPS*WHAT is it?

alternative way of making notes and mapping any issuemany well-known thinkers used some form of it (Leonardo da Vinci)does not use linear form of notes, but EXPLOSIVE using colours, pictures and symbols

WHY?uses natural brain processesstimulate thinking, fun, joy* eg. Tony Buzan, The Creative Intelligence


PRAGUEHow to use MIND MAPShistoryculturetransportcapital cityrestaurants and good foodarchitecture


When to use MIND MAPSto make a daily schedulenotes of the lesson, books, articlesholiday planningshopping listto do list every day, as often as possible, be creative, develop your own style with time, have funalso in groups after brainstorming session


SUMMARYcreativity is not born by itselfcreative methods must be consciously introduced and developed in organisationspeople must be encouraged to use them, with no fear to make mistakes, prized for new ideassupport from top management neededgood preparation and patience

Have fun and all the best !


End of PresentationThanks for attention questions welcome

04.Brainstorming

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